A staple with the organization for more than a decade, Rinne holds all-time regular-season and playoff goaltending records in virtually every category with the Preds. He is the winningest Finnish goaltender in NHL history and one of only 20 goalies in League history to own at least 300 victories and 50 shutouts.
But perhaps more impressive than his on-ice contributions as the best player in Predators history - and the top Finnish goaltender to ever play the game - Rinne has adopted Nashville as his second home and has worked tirelessly to give back to the people who make Middle Tennessee such a special place.
Most notably, alongside former captain Shea Weber, Rinne formed the 365 Pediatric Cancer Fund presented by Twice Daily, which raises money and awareness for childhood cancer research at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.
In his very first full season with the team, after meeting Mike, a man with Down Syndrome, Rinne also fostered a relationship with Best Buddies that he has continued to keep to this day. Additionally, Rinne's commitment to Make-A-Wish, the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson's and a number of initiatives throughout the coronavirus pandemic has brought joy and hope to people young and old throughout the community.
All 31 nominees, one for each club, were selected by their respective NHL teams. The winner will then be chosen by a committee of senior NHL executives led by Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly.
The selection committee will apply the following criteria in determining the finalists and winner: a clear and measurable positive impact on the community, investment of time and resources, a commitment to a particular cause or community, commitment to the League's community initiatives, creativity of programming, use of influence and engagement of others.
Sounds like Rinne, doesn't it?
Three finalists will be chosen, and the first-place finisher will receive a $25,000 donation to benefit a charity or charities of his choice, while the two runners-up each will receive a $5,000 donation to benefit a charity or charities of their choice.
The King Clancy Memorial Trophy was first presented in 1988 by the NHL's Board of Governors in honor of Frank "King" Clancy, a beloved figure in the League for decades as a player, referee, coach, manager and goodwill ambassador. A three-time Stanley Cup champion and 1958 inductee to the Hockey Hall of Fame, Clancy was voted as one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players during the League's Centennial Celebration in 2017.
